Oil City arts and music is on fire

Bridgefest is this weekend and the first Allegheny River Music and Arts Festival is just around the bend.

​Bridgefest is back taking over Veterans Bridge on Saturday for the very unique music, arts and fun festival and it kicks off Friday on the Center Street bridge with a kid friendly event with games and more music.

It's a great way to cap off the summer before the kids head back to school.

​Then in September the first Allegheny River arts and Music Festival teaming up the Bridge LitFest seeks to bring even more fun to the city split in two by the river.

"I grew up in Pittsburgh and I grew up with the Three Rivers Arts Festival," said Stevette Rosen, the Moil City Main Street coordinator. "When I took this job, I (noted) we have this community that’s divided by this absolutely beautiful river and we have over 40 years of the arts growing here in Oil City."

​She noted the successful artist relocation program that has  been responsible for attracting artists from Orogan and California, New Mexico and Florida to come live and make Oil City their home and creative center.
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"The talent that has moved here and chosen to live here has just amazed me and I really want to brand Oil City as an art destination,  as well as an outdoor recreation location," Rosen added.

She said she hopes this is the first of many and hopes to incorporate the river itself as a featured venue for artistic expression, though this year will be up on the its banks for the most part with events on both sides of the river.

​She said there are still vendor spots open and is welcoming contact her at [email protected] if interested in participating.

LitFest, the Bridge Literary Arts Center's annual event will coincide with the Allegheny River festival where they will release their literary arts journal on Friday September 12 featuring artists and writers from the region.

The Community Playhouse will also be performing that weekend also in conjunction.

They will continue their outdoor movie offering by having a "kid's drive-in move" in Town Square. The Library is hosting a kid's workshop where they can make their own cars to sit in and watch Lily and Stitch that night.

Rosen emphasized that both the north and south sides of town will have plenty to do and there will be shuttles. An information booth will be set up at Town Square on the north side with flyers explains all there is going on and where.

The curb market is also expect to be packed during the weekend and plenty of food trucks around.

The Arts and Crafts festival will be all day Saturday September 13 beginning at 10 a.m.

There will be plenty to do including getting some professional face paint and makeup, charactitures and plenty of cool arts and crafts to be had.

"I still need arts and crafters," Rosen said hoping to make this even bigger. "I really know there are a lot of other artists out there that I would like to showcase and it’s such a wonderful opportunity for them."

"I hope for it someday to be a three day event. We chose the September event because there are less big well attended festivals in the area (at that time.)" Rosen said its a few weeks before Applefest and Autumn Leaf. "We wanted to claim something and kind of brand that weekend as ours so next year it will be the same weekend," she noting the weather is slightly cooler.

Below is the information to fill out for the Art, Craft, Food, & Misc Vendor Application.


The Allegheny River Music and Arts Festival will be held September  13, 2025, in beautiful Oil City, Pennsylvania, along the banks of the Wild and Scenic Allegheny River. This event will take place in Justus Park, encompassing both the north and south sides of Oil City and the Oil Region Venango Campus, providing an idyllic setting for artists to showcase their creativity. The festival will celebrate the region's rich cultural heritage, offering an immersive experience combining live music, art, food, and community engagement.
Event Date: September 13, 2025
Location: EMAIL or mail  this completed application, including your images, and MAIL your  application fee, to the 
 Oil City Main Street Program   -217 Elm Street  Oil City, PA 16310 
Make the check payable to ORA (write 'ARMAF' in the memo)

1. Please check  ______ $25 ____Juried Artist  $25___ Craft  __ Food $100   ___ Bev $50 ____$25 other

____ Main Street Artist   ______Main Street Crafter
If you are in the Main Street Corridor, there is no charge; however, you must complete the application and submit photos. This is for promotional material. Our event Facebook page will feature pictures of our work and bios of all the artists! 
 Business Name:_______________________________ Contact person: _______________  
 Phone: _________________________________Email: _____________________________
Artisan’s Rate your preference 1-3.  #1 being the most desirable vending location
   1_____   Justus Park (maximum 5  juried artisans, no crafters) 
   2 ____ Southside - in Business  ___ southside sidewalks
 2  Inside MAC (Music, Arts, and Cultural Center)
3 _____  Northside sidewalks ____ Northside in businesses
4  _____  Transit Building   
Important Dates: Application Deadline: August 20,  2025 (we will extend the deadline if not full) 
Submission Format - please email this form. 
All Artists -  Please include your artist statement. all include three photos of type or work you will be selling
Crafters and misc vendors, please email them to  [email protected]
Exhibition Setup: CHECK-IN WILL BE BETWEEN 7 A.M- 9:30 A.M. 

• The Northside on Sycamore Street
• The South side on West First Street in front of Cliffords Carpeting  
• For more information, call 814-677-3152, extension 101, or email [email protected].

You will be emailed that week your location and other information! ​
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Deadline fast approaching!